Japan - Planning two night trip to Tokyo

I know there are dozens of what to do in Tokyo threads, but hopefully I’ve included enough information and made this specific enough to warrant its own thread. I’ll be traveling from LAX to ICN with a stop at NRT. Initially, the plan (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/korean-air-skypass/1098391-possible-book-force-longer-layover.html) was to extend my layover at NRT until the next day and explore the area around the airport. However, since I’ll be entering grad school this fall and working toward a PhD for the next 5 years, it’s uncertain when I’ll get another chance to travel. Hence I worked it out with my travel agency, and decided to stay 2 nights in Japan.

So here’s my planned itinerary. I added comments regarding my concerns with the schedule and my specific interests. Any comments/suggestions/thoughts about pacing, order, routes, or Tokyo in general would be greatly appreciated.

Saturday July 24
Arrive at NRT at 3:00pm
Check in at Hotel at Tokyo
See Roppongi Hills Mori Tower and Mori Art Museum*

Sunday July 25
See Edo-Tokyo Museum
See Meiji Shrine
Walking/shopping Shibuya/ Harajuku??**
Akihabara??***

Monday July 26
Check out from Hotel
See National Museum of Japanese History****
Depart for ICN at 5:00pm

*If I check into the hotel around 6:00pm will that give me enough time to get to the Tower and return before the trains stop running?

**I plan on doing some light shopping during the night, but don’t know where exactly. I would like to avoid department stores, so I was considering the street shops of Shibuya, but that may not be the best fit. Particularly, I’m looking for shops that carry items that are exclusive to Japan, but aren’t too trendy (fleeting fads) or kitschy. With clothing, I don’t really plan on buying much in Japan. I’m not into street fashion, and from what I gather the upscale areas are mostly global designer boutiques, which we have plenty of here in Southern California. I’m more interested in more moderate brands such as Uniqlo which are not available here or somewhat limited in Korea.

***Also does my itinerary leave enough room to take a quick detour to Akihabara during the middle of the day? I’m not really into the otaku scene. I watch some anime, but don’t read any manga at all. I have built plamo and resin models in the past, but I doubt I’ll have time for that hobby any time soon. Still it might be fun to see what’s out now. I’m on the fence on this one.

****If I check out around 10:00am and take the express to Sakura, would I have enough time to fully explore the Rekihaku before heading over to the airport? Is this museum even worth visiting if I’ve already visited the Edo-Tokyo Museum? I should be at the airport by 3:00pm just to be safe.

Your Sunday looks a little scattered, running back and forth across town. Depending on where your hotel is located, I'd suggest starting in Shibuya and Harajuku in the morning. Spend what time you want there, then catch the Oedo subway line or the JR Yamanote + Sobu Chuo line across town to Ryogoku for the Edo-Tokyo Museum. Plan on at least a couple of hours there. Akihabara is 1 stop on the local train back into the central city so you could stop there on the way back if you have time. The flexibility is there if you are coming right back by there anyway.

I'd suggest changing your National Museum plans to the Japanese National Museum in Ueno Park. There are actually several museums there, although I like the main one near the back (north) of the Park. From Ueno, you could grab the Keisei Skyliner (or Express to save a few bucks) out to NRT and avoid going back into the city center to catch the Narita Express. I prefer the Skyliner anyway and the Keisei station is right outside the main entrance to Ueno Park.

If you have been reading this forum, you probably already know that July 25 will undoubtedly be VERY hot and muggy in Tokyo. Plan accordingly and try to avoid too much running around outside.

I plan on doing some light shopping during the night, but don’t know where exactly. I would like to avoid department stores, so I was considering the street shops of Shibuya, but that may not be the best fit. Particularly, I’m looking for shops that carry items that are exclusive to Japan, but aren’t too trendy (fleeting fads) or kitschy. With clothing, I don’t really plan on buying much in Japan. I’m not into street fashion, and from what I gather the upscale areas are mostly global designer boutiques, which we have plenty of here in Southern California. I’m more interested in more moderate brands such as Uniqlo which are not available here or somewhat limited in Korea.So are you looking primarily for clothing, or something more traditional like tea, sake, and sushi sets? Yukata and kimonos? I personally love the small plastic toys/models you can find in conbini everywhere and bubble machines- especially because it is so time-limited (as in they change all the time) and unique to Japan. They make cool and cheap gifts as well. There is that famous gift/export store (I forget where, but its in every guidebook) for traditional gifts, but if you are LA-based, you can find most of the traditional stuff on Sawtelle Blvd, Little Tokyo, and a few other places in LA.Also does my itinerary leave enough room to take a quick detour to Akihabara during the middle of the day? I’m not really into the otaku scene. I watch some anime, but don’t read any manga at all. I have built plamo and resin models in the past, but I doubt I’ll have time for that hobby any time soon. Still it might be fun to see what’s out now. I’m on the fence on this one.Unless you are looking for something specific, I wouldn't buy pretty much any tech product in Japan unless you can't find it in the states. Anime-wise, if its also published in the US, it will be much much cheaper in the US. If you can learn the kanji for "English," you can find DVDs with English subtitles as long as you have a region-free player, but you won't find much Anime, if any, with subtitles. All that being said, Akihabara is great for window-shopping and people-watching. My last trip pre-dated Maid Cafes, but you can check that out if it strikes your fancy.Is this museum even worth visiting if I’ve already visited the Edo-Tokyo Museum?I've never been to (or heard of) the history museum, but I second the National Museums next to Ueno park- they are fantastic.

abmj-jr and Pureboy, thank you for your replies.

Your Sunday looks a little scattered, running back and forth across town. Depending on where your hotel is located, I'd suggest starting in Shibuya and Harajuku in the morning. Spend what time you want there, then catch the Oedo subway line or the JR Yamanote + Sobu Chuo line across town to Ryogoku for the Edo-Tokyo Museum. Plan on at least a couple of hours there. Akihabara is 1 stop on the local train back into the central city so you could stop there on the way back if you have time. The flexibility is there if you are coming right back by there anyway.

Well, I didn't put much thought into the order, but I thought it would be nice to see Shibuya and do my shopping at night. I looked it up the sunrise/sunset schedule here (http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/sunrise.html) and it seems Tokyo gets dark after 7pm so I wanted to take my walk then to see the city lights. Or are stores already closed by then?

I can certainly change the order if it's unfeasible the way I had it. I don't mind seeing Akihabara during the daytime.

I'd suggest changing your National Museum plans to the Japanese National Museum in Ueno Park.

I've never been to (or heard of) the history museum, but I second the National Museums next to Ueno park- they are fantastic.

Is this (http://www.tnm.go.jp/en/servlet/Con?processId=00) the museum that you are suggesting?
I heard about the National Museum of Japanese History (http://www.rekihaku.ac.jp/english/index.html) from a Narita Layover Guide (http://www.mgnewman.com/Naritax/where.html).

So are you looking primarily for clothing, or something more traditional like tea, sake, and sushi sets? Yukata and kimonos? I personally love the small plastic toys/models you can find in conbini everywhere and bubble machines- especially because it is so time-limited (as in they change all the time) and unique to Japan. They make cool and cheap gifts as well. There is that famous gift/export store (I forget where, but its in every guidebook) for traditional gifts, but if you are LA-based, you can find most of the traditional stuff on Sawtelle Blvd, Little Tokyo, and a few other places in LA.
Sorry, I should have been more clear. I'm not looking for traditional Japanese items. Regarding souvenirs, I was thinking more in the line of Japanese pop culture that are not well known and available in the US, but not so esoteric and "in the moment" that they are forgotten by the Japanese teens and young adults next week. I will definitely pick up a few gashapon/capsule toys, but I heard they're pretty ubiquitous and not just in konbinis.

Similarly with clothing, just everyday wear (so no extreme street fashion), but brands that are popular with the Japanese and not easily available elsewhere.


If you have been reading this forum, you probably already know that July 25 will undoubtedly be VERY hot and muggy in Tokyo. Plan accordingly and try to avoid too much running around outside.
Certainly, I think it would ideal to spend the hottest part of the day indoors at the museum. I don't mind the mugginess so much since I've spent several summers with similar weather in Korea.
However, I will try to make a back up plan in case of rain.

1. It would certainly work to START your morning going out to Ryogoku then work your way back west to Akihabara and ultimately to Shinjuku and Harajuku. I presumed you were interested in the youth fashion street scene in Harajuku. I don't think they will be out much after dark but it will certainly be pretty with lights, window displays and such - as would Ginza. Remember that it will be Sunday. I'm not sure how that will alter shopping times.

2. Yes, that is the museum we referred to. The whole complex is huge and you would want to see several of the buildings - depending on which displays are current and which are open. The Honkan has a nice, large sitting area to the left just inside the main entrance. It makes a nice place to rest and get out of the heat (although when I was there I was escaping the COLD. :-)) Plus, the museum complex is surrounded by Ueno Park which is also worth a stroll.

If you schedule this as the last place you go before returning to the airport, you can see from the map how easy it is to catch the Keisei airport special trains.

3. Although you aren't interested in department stores, be aware that a large, up-scale Japanese "depaato" is a tourist destination in itself. The wealth of high-end merchandise, white-gloved door persons, elevator girls and sales clerks, all bowing as you pass, are pretty impressive. If you do go, don't miss the basement food hall.

4. I think it would be an excellent plan to do your museum and other visits during the heat of the afternoons as you suggest.